we need the elders.

"because of the extended-family system and the universal hospitality, the aged were fortunately free of the problems of sustenance. they played self-fulfilling and socially satisfying roles within their communities. while old age was a liability in a new world plantation and throughout the capitalist world, in Africa advanced age brought honour, increased respect and authority. the gerontocratic bias of African society meant that a great deal of power and authority was based on seniority in age. an elder was learned and wise because he had had maximum exposure to life in that society, as well as to all of the formal education which was available. as a young man he had spent several months in the 'bush school,' where he had received instructions prior to initiation; later he had graduated from successive age-groups or through several levels of a fraternity, where secret knowledge was revealed at each stage; and finally an elder would himself be a teacher. in a state system, elders tutored the prospective ruler and advised the ruling king; while in 'stateless societies' they were the sole repositories of historical, spiritual and legal knowledge. in both sets of situations they had to be informed and alert because of their responsibilities."

*excerpted from "the groundings with my brothers" by walter rodney, pg.54